Tractor-mower assembly



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H.- w. ,slMPsoN TRACTOR-Mower( ASSEMBLY Filed OCT.. 30, 1939 For.

June 10, 1941.

l HOWARD w. S|MPSON .ui ATTIORNEY v `lune 10,1941.

H. W. SIMPSON TRACTOR-MOVIER ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 50, 1939 Sheets-Sheet I5v FIG'. 3.

I4 vla, Jr l F i/'2 f lo'f# /"3/1489 29o Plas.

H wARo I NV EN TOR.

W. SIMPSON mi wm? A TTORNEY Patented June 10, 1941 TRACTOR-MDWER ASSEMBLY Howard w. simpson, Dearborn, mon., minor to Detroit Harvester Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application ootobor so, 193s, semi No. 302,043

' vsa claims.

The present invention relates to a tractor mower assembly and more particularly to a wide tread track-laying type of tractor with a mowing ma chine attachment at the front end.

The assembly comprises essentially a wide tr'ead track-laying type of tractor having an adjustable mower assembly supported adjacent the front end thereof and connected to a power takeoff for power drive of the mowing mechanism. Means are provided for counterbalancing a large portion of the weight of the mower assembly directly from one of the track elements instead of from the tractor frame. The cutter bar is supported for adjustment to cut at all vertical angles from 45 downward to 90 upward without binding. Automatic means are also provided which are effective to disengage the clutch so as to stop forward advance of the tractor when the cutter bar of the mower assembly strikes an obstacle. The cutter bar is mounted to a frame element by an especially designed 'split hinge bearing which greatly facilitates attachment and removal of the cutter bar to the supporting element.

With the foregoing general description in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide. a mower assembly at the front of a. crawler tractor.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mower of the type described which is adapted to cut throughout a wide range of vertical adjustments.

It is a further object of thepresent invention tc provide a mower of the type described on a crawler tractor, together with means for counterbalancing or supporting a major portion of -the weight of the mower assembly directly from the track frame rather than from the tractor. Y

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a mower assembly in combination with a tractor in which means are provided for automatically disengaging the clutch of the tractor when the cutter bar of the mower strikes an obstacle.

It is a further object of the present invention to attach a cutter bar of a mower assembly to a supporting element by a readily separable split hinge bearing to provide for ease of assembly.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the description proceeds,v and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section showing the tractor mower assembly;

Figure 2 is a top plan view with parts broken .away of the same tractor mower;

. Figure 3 is a front elevation of the tractor mower;

Figure 4 is a vertical section through the hinge bearing and crank shaft assembly;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view showing the clutch release mechanism;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the clutch release mechanism; and

Figure 7 is a section on the line 1-1, Figure 2.

'I'he tractor which forms a part of the present combination is of the wide tread track-laying type, and is shown as having endless tracks I0 mounted on suitable track frames indicated in Figure 1v at II. The main frame of the tractor is shown in Figure 2 at I 2 and is supported from the track frames by a front axle housing I3 and a rear axle housing I d. The main frame I2 of the tractor has a motor housing I5 in which an internal combustion engine is provided. The internal combustion engine, as is well understood. is adapted te drive the tractor forward or reversely, and also may be connected to a power take-off shaft I8 to which is connected a sheave I1 or the like.

In Figure 1 I have illustrated a steering brake of the conventional type at I8,` and a gear shift ai I8. A conventional-clutch is provided for connecting and disconnecting the motor of the tractor from the track drive. This clutch is operatively connected to a clutch pedal 20 shown in Figure 6.

The mower assembly and the associated mecha'- nism is best illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

Adjacent the front of the tractor, and as illustrated in the present application adjacent the right front corner thereof, I provide a hinge cast-V ing 2| which serves as the main frame of the mower mechanism. The hinge casting 2| is supported on the frame of the machine by means of a pair of bars, a front supporting bar being indicated at 22, and a rear supporting bar being indicated at 23. The front supporting bar 22 is mounted on a bracket 24 by means of a universal connection 25 which permits the bar 22 to move freely relative thereto.

The opposite end of the bar 22 is connected to the hinge casting 2l by means of a hinge housing 26 which permitspivoting movement of the hinge casting about the axis of the hinge housing 'I'he rear supporting bar 23 is connected to the hinge casting at its forward end so as to permit pivoting movementof the hinge casting 2|` about the axis of the hinge housing 26. In Figure 2 I have villustrated the connection as taking the form of an eye 21 and threaded nuts 28 for securing which serves as a clutch release element, as will later be described. In addition to this function, the lever 62 also serves as a spring seat for a coil shock spring 63. The other end of the spring seats against the bracket 6|. As will be evident, the spring 63 continuously urges the bar 23 forwardly. The spring is selected so as to have sufilcient strength to retain 'the bar 23 in extreme forward position as determined by a stop element 64 carried by the bar 23 at the rear of the bracket 6|. However, upon abnormal strain, such asv would be caused by the mower assembly upon encountering an obstacle, the rod 23 moves rearwardly compressing the spring 63 and actuating the clutch in a manner which will subsequently be described.

In order to provide.v for pivoting movement of the hinge casting 2| about the axis of the hinge housing 26, I provide an adjusting rod 29 carrying a clamping bracket 30 which is slidable on the rear supporting bar 23. Suitable locking means, such as a set screw 3| or the like, is provided to lock the bracket 30 in adjusted position on the bar 23. In addition. turnbuckle adjusting means are provided at 3|'.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, the hinge bracket 2| has an upwardly projecting arm 32 thereon to which the forward end of the adjusting rod 29 is pivotally secured. As will be evident, adjustment of the rod 29 relative to the rear supporting bar 23, or adjustment of turnbuckle 3|', will cause pivotal movement of the hinge bracket 2| about the axis of the hinge housing 26. This adjustment provides for controlling the closeness of cut taken by the mower assembly,4

as will be readily evident. Y

The mower assembly includes a cutter bar 33 in which is mounted a sickle bar of the usual type. As is well understood, the sickle bar is mounted for rapid reciprocation in a direction parallel to the length of the cutter bar, and cooperates therewith to cut grass or the like.

At the inner end of the cutter bar is provided an inner shoe 34 to which the cutter bar is rigidly secured. The inner shoe 34 is pivotally connected to the hinge bracket 2|`for movement relative thereto in a vertical direction. This means will subsequently be described in detail. e

As previously indicated, means are provided for .reciprocating the sickle bar from the power takeoif of the tractor. In Figures 1 and 2 I have illustrated a countershaft housing 35 mounted on the track frame Il by brackets 36 and 31. The countershaft housing supports a countershaft to which is secured a sheave 38 which is aligned with the sheave |1 carried by the power take-off shaft I6. The two sheaves are interconnected by suitable means, such for example as V-belts or the like. It shouldbe noted that housing 35 is thus more nearly aligned with housing 39.

The countershaft is provided at its opposite or forward end with a universal connection to a propeller shaft received within the propeller shaft housing 39. The universal joint is protected against the ingress of dirt or other foreign matter by a universally adjustable sleeve 40 which is ward movement of the hinge casting 2| if the mower assembly encounters an obstacle, and to permit this rearward movement without disrupting the driving connection between the power take-off and the mower assembly the propeller shaft is provided with slidably associated splined elements (not shown) to permit this rearward movement.

'Ihe means for connecting the propeller shaft to the sickle bar, in order to cause reciprocation thereof, is best seen in the detailed view of Figure 4. The hinge casting 2| is provided with a spherically formed shell 45, and the forward end of the propeller shaft housing is provided with a correspondingly sphexically shaped housing element 46 for protecting a universal driving connection contained therein.

In Figure 4 the propeller shaft is indicated at 41 and is connected by means of a universal driving joint 48 to a crank shaft 49. Crank shaft 49 at its opposite end carries a counterweight fly wheel 50 having a crank arm 5| secured thereto. The crank arm 5| is connected by a suitable pitman connection 5| to the sickle bar and, as will be evident, rotation of the ily wheel 50 causes a corresponding reciprocation of the sickle bar.

Reference has previously been made to a split hinge bearing between the hinge castings and the inner shoe of the mower assembly.

This is illustrated in Figure 4, in which a portion of theinner shoe 34 is shown. The upper portion of the inner shoe is provided with a half round recess for the reception of a sleeve 52 which spans two webs 53 and 54 of the hinge casting 2|. Thecrank shaft 49 passes through the sleeve 52, and suitable bearings 55 are provided therein. A removable half round cap piece 56 is provided as a part. of the inner shoe assembly, and is adapted to cooperate with the aforementioned half round recess at the top of the cap piece proper to receive the sleeve 52 therein. As will be evident, in order to remove the mower assembly from the tractor, it is necessary only to remove the cap piece 56 and to disconnect the pitman connection 5|' and pivot connection 52' (Figure 1). This arrangement provides for ready association and disassociation of the mowing mechanism with the tractor.

'Ihe means for sup-porting the hinge casting, as thus far described, permit the same to move in a generally vertical direction relative to the tractor. 'lhe front supporting bar 22, as previously described, is provided with a universal connection 25, and the rear supporting bar 23 passes through an enlarged aperture 60 in the bracket 5| which -is of sufficient size to permit pivoting 'as well as slidable movement of the bar 23 relative thereto.

In order to support the weight of the mower assembly, a counterbalancing means is provided which is adapted to counterbalancev-the major portion of the weight directly from the right-hand track frame. i In Figures 1 and 2 I have illustrated a bracket 16 secured to the inner side of the righthand track frame, and a bell crank 1| is pivotally connected thereto as indicated at 12. The bell crank 1| has a generally upwardly extending arm 13 and a generally forwardly extending arm 14. A counterbalancing spring 16 is connected between the arm 13 of the bell crank and the bracket 31, previously described. At 11 `I have indicated suitable means for adjusting the tension of the counterbalancing spring 16.

The forwardly extending arm 14 of the bell crank 1| is connected by a cable or chain 13 to the inner shoe 34.

. As a result of this, thecounterbalancing effect of the spring 16 serves a dual function. In the first place, it directly counterbalances a large portion of the weight of. the entire mower assembly and urges the hinge casting 2| upwardly. However, since the connection of the chain or cable 18 is directly to the inner shoe, and since a shortlever arm L is provided, there is also a counterbalancing effect tending to pivot the mower arm 33 upwardly.

Means are also provided for adjusting the vertical position of the cutter bar so as to enable the apparatus to cut on side hills and the like. This means is well illustrated in Figure 3 in which I have illustrated a vertical lever 80 rigidly secured to the inner shoe 34. A bracket 8| having a toothed quadrant is provided on the frame of the tractor, and a hand lever 83 is pivoted thereto, as indicated at84, in a positionrto'be readily accessible to the driver of the tractor. The spring pressed dog 85 is associated with the lever 83, and is adapted to engage the teethvof the quadrant 82. A suitable hand-operated release for the dog 85 is indicated at 86. Associated with the lever 83 is a quadrant 81 to which is secured a cable 88 for adjusting the vertical position of the cutter bar 33. 'Ihe cable 88 leads over a pulley 89 carried Y by a pulley support or bracket 90, which in turn is carried by the main frame ofthe tractor adjacent the forward end thereof. As best seen in Figure 3, the cable 88 continues downwardly and passes under a pulley 92 which is carried bythe hinge casting 2|. The cable 88, at its opposite end, is connected to the vertical lever 80, previously referred to. As will be evident, rearward motion of the hand lever 83 will pivot the inner shoe 34 about its fore and aft axis, lifting the cutter bar to any desired position.

The vertical lever 80 is provided. with a nosepiece 93 which eventually will engage a portion of the hinge casting to serve as a stop means. By suitably proportioning the parts, the engagement between the nose-piece 83 and the hinge casting 2| will take place when the cutter bar is substantially vertical. Further rearward movement of the hand lever 83 will result in a substantially direct lifting movement on the hinge casting lthrough the medium of the pulley '92. This will lift the inner shoe upwardly in a position to clear the ground, as is desirablewhen it is necessary to move the tractor for considerable distances without performing the mowing operation. Other means are provided for supporting a portion of the weight ofthe cutter bar during normal operation, and takes the form of a cutter bar counterbalance spring 95. The spring 95 is secured to the bracket 24, previously referred. to, as indicated at 96, and if desired suitable conventional means may be provided for adjusting the tension of the spring 95. The opposite end of the spring `95 is secured adjacent the top of the vertical lever 80 carried by the inner shoe 34 of the mower. As will be evident, tension of the spring 98 exerts a clockwise movement on the cutter bar 33.

As thus far described, it will be observed that the hinge casting which serves as the main frame for the mower assembly is connected directly to the main frame of the tractor by means o f the bar 23. This connection positions the hinge casting but permits substantial vertical movement thereof. .This vertical movement of course takes place about an axis passing through the universal pivot 25 of the front supporting bar 22 and the aperture 60 in the bracket 6|. In addition the hinge housing is carried by these bars in such a manner as to permit adjustment thereof about a horizontal transverse axis. This adjustment ,is effected by the adjusting rod 29 in a manner previously described. The cutter bar 33 is pivoted to the hinge casting about a fore and aft axis coinciding with the axis of the crank shaft 49. Means are provided permitting slight rearward movement of the hinge casting upon overcoming the resistance of the compression spring 63. The weight of the mower assembly is largely supported by the counterbalancing spring 16, and this spring is also effective in part to counterbalance the weight of the cutter bar 33. The cutter bar counterbalance spring 95 also assists in counterbalancing the weight of the cutter bar 33, with the result that the cutter bar will rest comparatively lightly on the ground. Means are also provided which are effective, first to swing the cutter bar 33 vertically about the axis of the crank shaft to an extreme upwardly position, and effective thereafter to elevate the hinge casting to a position clear of the ground.

As previously indicated, means are provided for disengaging the clutch in the transmission of ,the tractor so as to insure stoppage of the tractor if the cutter bar encounters an obstacle. Referring now particularly to Figures 5 and 6, I have illustrated the rear supporting bar 23, the bracket 6|, and the compression spring 63. As will be evident, the compression spring 63, acting between the bracket 6| and the lever 82, retains` the bar 23 in extreme forward position as determined by the stop 64, unless the cutter bar encounters an obstacle. At this time the bar 23 moved rear-v wardly compressing the spring 63, and the lever 62 engages an adjustable abutment |00 carried by an arm |0|, keyed ror otherwise secured to a cross shaft |02. I have illustrated the adjustable abutment Vas in the form of a bolt having a locking nut |03. Normally the abutment |00 is adjusted so that a slight clearance, such as indicated at |04, is present between the abutment and the lever 62. v f

In Figure 6 I have illustrated the clutch pedal 20 as pivoted at the point |05. Secured to the cross shaft |02 is a second lever |06, also keyed or otherwise secured thereto for movement therefront supporting bar 22 and the rear supporting 75 with. A hooked member m1 is pivotauy securedr adjacent the free end o1' the lever |06 and is provided with a booked portion |08 adapted to engage la pin |09 projecting laterally from 'the clutch pedal 20. As will. be evident,.when the bar 23 is moved rearwardly, the shaft |02 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figure 6, with the result that the hooked portion |09 of the hooked.

member |01 will depress the clutch pedal, thus arresting forward movement of the tractor.

In order to reengage the clutch so as to reverse the tractor, the hooked member |01 is provided with a handpiece |09', by means of which the hooked member |01 can be released from vthe clutch pedal. As will be evident, the hooked member |01 will be disengaged by the hand-piece in a manner to permit reengagement of the clutch only after the tractor has been taken out of gear or placed in reverse.

It may be pointed out here that by supporting the hinge casting 2| from a bracket 18 mounted on one of the track frames an improved perfomance is provided. The tractor frame I2 is mounted on the track frames by a pivot connection for the rear axle I4, and'by a resilient connection for the front axle I3 best shown in Figure 7.

In this figure I show the front axle secured to track frames by a resilient connection comprising a spring housing carried by a suitable bracket |2| mounted in the track frame. A cooperating plunger spring housing |22 is pivoted to the axle I3 as indicated at |23, and housings |20 and |22 receive a compression spring |24. Thus while the track frames l follow the contour of the ground, the tractor frame I2 will shift relative thereto. By supporting the hinge casting 2| from the track frames the mower assembly will thus follow the ground contour.

` As previously stated, the rearward movement of the hinge casting is permitted by a suitable telescoping arrangement of the propellor shaft and its housing. Thus the described arrangement serves two functions: first, the rearward swinging movement of the cutter bar upon striking an obstacle relieves the shock on the whole mower; and secondly it provides a movement which is used to automatically release the clutch ing corner of the hay field and by turning before he gets to the corner, the operator is then in position to continue on the next right angle side of the field without delay. The described arrangement is simple and easy to construct and assemble. In addition it offers substantial advantages in normal operation.

Accordingly, while I have illustrated and described several speciflc embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, modiilcations, omissions, combinations and substitutions may be made which will be within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

W'hat I claim as my invention is:

1. In a crawler tractor mower assembly, the combination with a crawler tractor having a pair i of track frames, and a main frame carried thereby,

of a mower frame, supporting bars secured to the main frame for mounting said mower frame for substantially vertical movement, a cutter bal' pivoted to said mower frame for vertical swinging movement, and resilient means acting upwardly on said cutter bar at a point adjacent the pivot connection of said cutter bar `to said mower frame, whereby to partly counterbalance both thepivot action of said cutter bar and the weight of said mower frame and cutter bar, said resilient means comprising a bell crank pivoted to the adjacent track frame, a tension spring anchored at one end'of said track frame and at the other end to one arm of said crank, and a substantially vertical tension member connecting the other end of said crank to said cutter bar.

2. In a crawler tractor mower assembly, the combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced track frames and a main frame carried thereby, of a mower assembly in front of said tractor, supporting bars for the mower assembly carried bythe main frame, one having a universal connection with the, main frame, and the other having a combined sliding and pivotal connection with the main frame, and means carried by one of the track frames for coimterbalancing most of the weight of the mower assembly.

3. In a crawler tractor mowex. assembly. the

combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced track frames and a main frame between and carried thereby, of a mower assembly in front of one of said track frames and spaced laterally outwardV relative to the main frame, connections between the mower assembly and main frame including a transversely extendingbar in front of the main frame, and a longitudinally extending bar, one end of the transverse bar being universally connected to said main frame at the side thereof remote to the mower assembly, the other end of said transverse bar being pivotally connected to said mower asembly, one end of the longitudinal bar being pivotally connected to the mower assembly, and the other end of said longitudinal bar having a combined sliding and pivotal connection with the main frame adjacent the rear end thereof, and means carried by one of said frames for counterbalancing most of the weight of the mower assembly. l

4. In a crawler tractor mower assembly, the combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced track frames and a main frame carried thereby, of a mower assembly adjacent said tractor, supporting means ior the mower assembly carried by the main frame, brackets carried by one of the track frames at spaced points longitudinally thereof, and means for counterbalancing most of the weight of the mower assembly including a bell crank lever carried by one of the brackets, a coil spring terminally connected to one arm of said bell crank lever and to the other bracket, and a flexible member 'terminally connected to the other arm of the bell Y arm of said bell crank lever and to the-track frame mentioned, and a flexible member terminally connected to the other arm of the bell crank lever and to said mower assembly.

6. In a crawler tractor mower assembly, the combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced track frames and a main frame carried thereby, of a mower assembly adjacent the tractor and including a reciprocating sickle bar, drive means for the sickle bar including a countershaft, a housing for the countershaft, spaced supporting brackets for the housing carried by one ofthe track frames, supporting means for the mower assembly carried by the main frame, another bracket secured to the track frame aforesaid, and means carried by the last mentioned bracket and one of the spaced supporting brackets for the countershaft housing for counterbalancing most of the weight of the mower assembly.

'7, In a crawler tractor mower assembly, the combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced track frames and a main frame crried thereby, of a mower frame ad- `uacent and mounted to swing vertically relative to the tractor, a cutter bar pivoted to said mower frame for vertical swinging movement, and resilient means acting upwardly on said cutter bar at a. point adjacent the pivot connection of said cutter ba; to said mower frame, whereby to partly counterbalance both the pivot action of said cutter bar and the weight of said mower frame and cutter bar, said resilient means comprising a bell crank pivoted to the adjacent track frame, a tension spring anchored at one end to said track frame and at the other end to one arm of said bell crank, and a substantially vertical tension member connecting the other end of said crank to said cutter bar. 8. In a crawler tractor mower assembly, th combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced.y track frames and a main frame carried thereby, of a mower assembly in iront of one of said track frames and spaced laterally outward relative to the main frame, and connections between the mower assembly and main tramo including a transversely exten f bar in iront o! the main frame. and a longitudi nally extending bar. one end oi' the transverse bar being universally connected to said main trame at the side thereof remote to the mower l assembly, the other end of said transverse bar being pivotally connected to said mower assem bly, one end of the longitudinal bar being pivotally connected to the mower assembly, and the other end of said longitudinal bar having a combined sliding and pivotal connectionl with the main frame adjacent .the rear end thereof.

9. :In` a crawler tractor mower assembly, the combination with a crawler tractor having a pair of laterally spaced track trames and a main frame carried thereby, of a mower assembly in iront oi' said tractor, and supporting bars for the mower assembly carried by the main frame, one having a universal connection with the main frame, and the other having a combined sliding and pivotal connection with the main frame.

HOWARD W. SIMPSON. 

